By Patrick Camara Ropeta, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau and U.S. News Agency / Asian

A group of Filipino bands in the UK collaborated on a small concert to promote their music and raise funds for charity.

In association with Mitcham Filipino Association and Radyo Manila UK, five Filipino live music acts from London and Leeds gathered for a special evening of performances at Colliers Wood Community Centre in South London.

Hundreds of Filipinos came out to support the event, alongside representatives from the Philippine Embassy in London and various community groups in the UK.

London-based band Ekiz was among the main organizers of the event. Band member Ronald Dalida, a 50-year-old graphic designer, said: “It is one way to promote our values, first of all. Secondly, it’s one way to promote that we Filipino are very keen in music.”

The acts performed crowd-pleasing OPM and Western rock, from Sampaguita’s “Nosi Balasi” to Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”.

“Hindi tayo nagpapahuli pagdating sa talent,” observed Juan Paolo Genuino from newly-formed band Project 112. “Pagdating sa musika, kahit saan mo tignan, kahit sa Pilipinas tayo, kahit lata lang and gamit nila or gitarang pagkalumaluma, pero makikita mo yung skill nila. Nasa dibdib kaya natin kung pano mag-entertain.”

Popular band NuGroovz, best known for their appearances at Manny Pacquiao’s after-fight parties in Las Vegas, headlined the event.

“It’s really good kasi collaboration ng iba’t-ibang bands sa UK. We do our own personal gigs, and this is the first time lang na nangyari na we play with them,” enthused Chris from the band, a 41-year-old airline professional.

The line-up was completed by rock band Kalayu and pop soloist Ruth Valerio, with all of performances featuring classic songs in Tagalog and English.

Proceeds from the event will donated to community projects in Mindanao. Organizers aim to contribute food, shelter, clothing and other necessary goods and services for the victims of tropical storm Sendong, which hit the region in December of last year.